Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/243

 the Spanish government in that island. Congress at once passed an act to increase the regular army to 61,000 men and the President issued a proclamation to the general powers announcing war with Spain. The North Atlantic Squadron, under Rear Admiral Sampson was ordered to blockade the Cuban ports. This was followed by a formal declaration of war by Spain, and President McKinley issued a call for 125,000 volunteers.

Before the adjournment of the Twenty-seventh General Assembly the prospect for war seemed to render it prudent to take such action as would obviate the necessity for an extra session. An appropriation of $500,000 was therefore made, or so much thereof as might be necessary to be used in aid of the General Government in case of war. Anticipating a call for volunteers, the State authorities were making preparation to promptly fill any requisition that might be made for volunteers.

On the 1st of February, 1898, Brigadier-General Melvin H. Byers of Glenwood was appointed Adjutant-General. On the 21st of April a general order was issued to the company commanders of the regiments of the National Guard to have all officers and men of their companies undergo a physical examination. It was also ordered that all men with dependent families should, upon request be discharged; and that men under twenty-one years of age, who could not procure the consent of their parents or guardians and all who failed to pass the required examination, should also at once be discharged. It was ordered that none but ex-members of the National Guard and those having received military training, should be accepted.

On the 25th of April the Secretary of War sent to the Governor of Iowa a requisition for three regiments of infantry and two batteries of light artillery. On the same day Governor Shaw replied as follows: “Full quota will be mobilized at Des Moines and ready to be mustered in May 2.” Four regiments of the Iowa National Guard were ordered to report at Camp McKinley which had been